Outcomes of Name-brand Versus Generic Cephalomedullary Nail Fixation for Intertrochanteric and Subtrochanteric Fractures: A Matched Cohort Study

Abstract

This study aims to compare 90-day and 6-month outcomes and implant costs of intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fracture fixation using cephalomedullary nails (CMNs) from a single name-brand company to fixation using generic CMNs. This was a retrospective matched cohort study. All CMN procedures for a single surgeon in a single US metropolitan institution from 2021 to 2022 were identified using current procedural terminology codes. Nearest neighbor 1:1 matching was conducted between the name-brand and generic cohorts controlling for (1) age, (2) American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and (3) Charlson Comorbidity Index. A total of 50 patients were successfully matched (25 namebrand versus 25 generic). The average implant cost per case for the name-brand group was $3,587 versus $1,615 for the generic group. Cost of disposables averaged $109 for the generic implant sets versus $916 for the name-brand (P < 0.001). Overall, a cost savings of 61% could be generated per case with the use of generic implants and disposables. Fixation of intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures using generic CMNs produces similar outcomes compared with using name-brand CMNs for approximately half the implant cost.